Train Accident Provides Reminder of Dangers from Unsafe Crossing or Engineer Error

A collision between a teen driver and a freight train resulted in a near miss for Darrick Johnson who amazingly emerged without serious injury in the Athens, Georgia railroad accident. The freight train slammed into the teenager’s car as he crossed the track. The crossing does not have a stop sign, and the teenager indicated that he did not hear the train or any warning signal before the train struck his car.

The train accident is still under investigation, but these accidents often result because of poorly designed or maintained railroad crossings or engineer error. Drivers typically rely on signs and signals to warn them of potential dangers at railroad crossings. A variety of warnings are often employed at railroad crossing. If these warnings are missing, damaged or neglected, it can lead to a serious railroad accident.

If you or your loved one are involved in a railroad accident when you are driving a passenger car, pickup truck, motorcycle or SUV, the massive weight and velocity of a moving train typically results in catastrophic injuries including serious head injuries, spinal injuries, internal organ injuries or even wrongful death. The type of severe injuries that result from the force of an impact between a train and a motor vehicle can mean injuries that require months and even years of medical care and rehabilitation and result in permanent disability and loss of income. If you are facing these trying physical and financial obstacles following a serious Georgia train accident, Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, will work diligently because we want to help you achieve the best results possible. We are dedicated to delivering excellent legal representation to fulfill our goal of being the best personal injury law firm in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia.

The appropriate precautions necessary to make a railroad crossing reasonably safe depend on the location and surrounding area near the railroad crossing. In some locations a simple sign indicating that there is a railroad crossing may be an adequate way of warning drivers and preventing railroad accidents. Other crossings require more significant warnings and traffic controls, such as cross-bars that go down to prevent drivers from crossing the tracks when a train is approaching as well as flashing lights and warning alarms. Even if these warning signals are in place, they provide no benefit unless they are functioning properly. These warning signals also do not protect drivers if they are obscured by bushes, trees or other trains parked too close to the railroad crossing.

A train accident involving a collision between a commuter train, freight train and any other motor vehicle may also result from the failure of the engineer to take reasonable care to protect the motorist. Unsafe conduct by an engineer that may result in a train collision with a car include the following:

• Failing to slow the train adequately at a railroad crossing
• Lack of attention while operating the train
• Operating the train while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Engineer’s failure to activate warning signals or horn

If you or someone you love has suffered serious injury or wrongful death in a train accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, has been representing those involved in Georgia car accidents and Georgia train accidents in the Atlanta area and throughout Georgia for over 39 years. Our Georgia personal injury attorney will work in your best interest to help you get the compensation that you deserve. Our experienced Georgia train accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.